A compact is a formal agreement between two or more parties establishing mutual obligations and governing their relationship. Parameters: (1) at least two distinct parties with capacity to bind themselves, (2) clearly stated obligations assumed by each party, (3) a shared understanding of the scope and purpose of the agreement, (4) an enforcement mechanism — either internal (social pressure, mutual withdrawal) or external (institutional backing). Persistence: written documents, institutional memory, treaty registries, legal enforcement through courts, and the ongoing practice of honoring commitments. [formal: compactum | substrate: behavior | horizon: a life | explicit: yes | epoch: 0.91]
Accepted ontology entry
compact
A compact is a formal agreement between two or more parties establishing mutual obligations and governing their relationship. Parameters: (1) at least two distinct parties with capacity to bind themselves, (2) clearly stated obligations as…
Definition
Why it is in scope
A compact is a human-made institutional device — a formal agreement between parties that establishes mutual obligations and creates binding expectations. It persists through signature, recording, and the social practice of honoring commitments. Unlike a one-sided promise, a compact requires reciprocal acceptance and creates a shared framework of duties. The mechanism of persistence is collective recognition: a compact holds as long as the parties and their successors treat it as binding.
Names and aliases
- compacten · CANONICAL
Relations from this entry
- cmr784qq1000ks126wltnuaxhDEPENDS_ON →
A compact (formal agreement between parties) constitutively depends on language: without language there is no mechanism to articulate terms, express consent, or maintain the compact as a shared understanding. Language is the substrate through which compacts exist.
- cmrgqqhu2000cyvn1h15vt1bpINSTANCE_OF →
Compact IS a type of agreement: its definition states 'a formal agreement between two or more parties.' Specific (compact) → general (agreement), Law 9.
Relations to this entry
No accepted relations in this direction.
Record identity
- Created
- Jul 16, 2026, 2:02 AM UTC
- Content hash
- 0f108b31872232e06a2962e531c1ee67a0dea1c174d9372fdfec458c90cccad6